Infoblog

Life story alert. Stop now if prone to boredom as I'm going to use the
list as a group therapy session. :^)
I got banded on 11/5/03 by Dr. Kuri and lost no weight during the
liquid phase. In fact, I didn't really have a liquid phase because I
ate soft foods during it. I had a fill at 5 weeks on Dec 10(plus a
second one 4 days later) and finally felt a bit of restriction. I
noticed, however, that I was really fighting my band. Not PBing but
ignoring my full signals or drinking with meals so that I could eat
more.
I find myself thinking that I haven't eaten nearly enough food and I
get annoyed. Especially if it's something that I spent a while
preparing or something that I particularly like. I sit down with the
anticipation of enjoying my meal, eat 5 bites and hiccup (my first sign
that I am full). For two months, I basically ignored that. I would
either drink something to clean my pouch, eat slower, or plug ahead and
get myself uncomfortably full... when I felt that I'd eaten a
"reasonable" portion.
At first, I tried to convince myself that I was concerned about
nutrition. How can I get enough protein each day if I can only eat 5
bites per meal?! But I realized early on that was just a justification.
For me, food is social. My friends or spouse and I eat together,
talking, catching up on the day, making plans for the weekend. We talk
about work, finances, goals, disappointments and gossip over food. When
a good friend comes to town, we eat. The band has really affected the
way I eat and I feel resentful that I have to spend my meal
concentrating on taking small bites and chewing thoroughly instead of
taking part in the conversation.
I had a third fill (to 3.0!!) Jan 19 where I was unsurprised to find I
had again lost no weight. Boy do I feel more restriction now!! The
easiest way for me to get stopped up is to be distracted while eating.
Reading a magazine, talking, anything could mean getting stuck. I PBd
at lunch on Friday because I was winding down, feeling full and about
to stop but for some terrible reason, I've got to take that last bite!
It's always the killer! Since my last fill, I've been pretty miserable.
I'm eating substantially less and am down 6 pounds, but until last
Friday, I've been blocked or hurting or over full every day, at LEAST
once. I've PBd 3 or 4 times. I finally had to give myself a talking to.
It was there that I realized how resentful I'd been feeling about my
new eating needs and how frustrated I'd been feeling with myself for
not following the band rules. That combo made me spend two months
struggling with and obsessing about food, two issues I did not have
before being banded.
I'm trying to release my anger now, at the band and at myself. On
Friday morning, I decided that I was going to try a few new things. 1)
Limit distractions during meals for a while. No reading the paper, no
meals at the TV, no serious discussions unless it's dinnertime. :) 2)
at the first hiccup, drop the fork! I've been less successful with that
one. I still have the last bite syndrome, but at least it isn't 3 or 4
more like before! 3) Stop obsessing about calories and carbs and
protein for a while. I'm using nutrition as an excuse to overeat. I'm
gong to try obsessing about learning to recognize when I'm full AND
when I'm hungry.
Hopefully this will help.
Crys Harris
Dr. Kuri 11/5/03
285/259/250/227(mini-goal High School weight!)

Sorry, but they are not standard prices, the standard price of a taxi cab that will only take you and your companion any place in Tijuana is $5.00 dollars per person or they will ask for $10.00 if they wait for you and take you back.
Dan Lester <honu@...

I don't understand the problem or complaint. Those are the standard
prices for those services, and I thought they were pretty reasonable.
dan

hi suzanne
you are already banded..why are you asking for information on dr. lopez? these boards are for information and to gather research on banding and doctors..you have chosen what you think was the best doctor for yourself. these are questions pre-bandsters need to look up (in the archives) or ask.
judy m. from ny/fl
dr. kuri

Hi Suzanne:
Your post was too funny. Well, I'm glad your kitties think I'm a riot.
Suzanne, you too can become a Vanster. Actually, any can! The initiation process is pretty
difficult. You have to climb into one small mini-van with the rest of us. We're going to try to fit in 20 people on our next trip. Hopefully, Evan has some space in the luggage rack.
I'd love to speak at a bash. I'd have to get up in front of people and say, "Hi, my name is Pam and I'm a recovering Bandster Vanster."
I'd love to meet you in person also Suzanne. Just a correction, we are "Pamela and the Vansters." We are just the Vansters. I think the other one sounded like I was leading a bad singing group... Amy R. from Salt Lake is our President and Founder. hee hee. I'll convince her to let ya into our crazy group.
Hugs,
Pamela in Phoenix
250/216/150
--- On Sat 01/31, Suzanne Ryan < zanner624@...

From: Suzanne Ryan [mailto: zanner624@...]

OH PAMELA (and all of the other Vanster Bandsters) -
This story of your fill fiesta was SO FUNNY. I'm sorry for laughing but I
am just sitting here trying to imagine all of this. I'm sitting in my
bedroom on my laptop and I am laughing so hard reading the story that my two
cats woke up and looked at me like I'm a nut (I'm the only PERSON in the
room. LOL)
My surgery with Dr. O was 3 weeks ago, so I'm looking forward to going for
my first fill soon - I don't think anyone could EVER top your guy's story
about what happened with the van. You MUST share this story in front of a
crowd at the next Tijuana bash!!! I hope you are all able to be there
because I'd love to meet you all in person (o:
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz/Dr. Martinez 1/9/04
237/226/139

Wendy,
Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis )o:
I don't have rheumatoid arthritis, but I have "regular" arthritis (is there
such a thing? LOL)....anyway, my arthritis is in my hips and lower back and
although I'm not yet on any kind of arthritis meds, I, too would be really
interested in hearing from anyone who deals with this dilemma.
If you are in the 50'ish year old age range, you might want to consider

Not to put down Dr. Lopez, because I don't know him personally, but I just
wonder.....is there a possibility of a high incidence of infections in ports
on people that have surgery with him? I guess there may never be any way of
knowing this (unless people speak up, but there are probably hundreds of his
patients out there who are not on these boards). Does anyone know if there
is a patient advocate of Dr. Lopez' on this or any other boards that could
answer questions?
If a lot of Dr. Lopez' patients are getting infections, I don't know....is
he a good recommendation even as a surgeon? (Please don't flame me for
merely asking this....I'm just curious. This is NOT personal attack on Dr.
Lopez). I think a surgeon's good name is all about the good work that he or
she does and I, for one, appreciate hearing the "bad" stories as well as the
good about ALL of these doctors. I think it's important for pre-op patients
to know what they are getting themselves into, and that's one of the reasons
we all joined here to begin with, right? It scares me to think that people
have to see another surgeon for a repair of a problem because they were
neglected by their original surgeon.
If there are any post-op patients on this board who have had good post-op
success with Dr. Lopez, it would be nice to hear from them, too. Perhaps
these few incidents were isolated, which would be nice to know.
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04

I don't understand the problem or complaint. Those are the standard
prices for those services, and I thought they were pretty reasonable.
dan
Saturday, January 31, 2004, 6:54:08 PM, you wrote:
GT
GT
GT
GT
GT
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Dr. Ortiz gives perfect fills. Really. You'll be quite restricted,
which is the whole idea. With fluoro you can be sure it won't be too
tight or too lose. Both Martinez and Ortiz are very experienced at the
ART of giving fills with fluoro. It isn't just science.
You'll do fine. Don't worry. Yeah, I know you will anyway. But
don't.
dan
Saturday, January 31, 2004, 5:41:40 PM, you wrote:
SR
SR
SR
SR
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Hi Pamela,

My name is Gaby and I was banded in Tijuana by Dr. Lopez Corvala on 12/29/03, I yet have to go in for my first fill, but I was very sad and upset to hear your story. I am ashamed to be Mexican in cases like this were this drivers take full advantage of Americans. I am sorry to tell you but they are theifs... I can not believe it. You know what I live about 10 minutes from Tijuana, the next time you or another banster friend is coming and you guys need a ride from the San Diego Airport to get your fill in Tijuana give me a call, email me at tgaby516@... I will be very happy to drive you down there and bring you back.

Gaby

12/29/03 Dr. Lopez

200/190/125
Pamela Bishop <pamela_bishop@...

Hello All:
Yesterday, I went down to TJ for my second fill with Drs.
Ortiz/Martinez. I met Amy from Salt Lake, my 9/26/03 band sister, at
the Southwest terminal. We then met up with other fellow Ortizians:
Margie and hubby from Chicago, Evan from San Diego and Katelyn and
hubby Dale from Pocatello, ID. Margie was sweet enough to make up
signs with our names on them so she could locate us.
There were two drivers and two shuttles waiting for us to take us to
the Oasis hospital for our fills. We arrived at the Oasis 20 minutes
later and discovered that our drivers were upset that they had been
underpaid by us. I used my ever-awful Spanish to figure out the
misunderstanding. We thought that one-way transportation was $55 per
shuttle (no matter how many people were in the shuttle). The drivers
insisted the one-way transportation to the hospital was $80 per
shuttle and not the $55 we thought it was. For you pre-Ortizian
banditos, there are no worries--all your transportation charges are
included in your surgery price. For you Ortizians that want to come
to TJ for fills, here's how the drivers explained the transportation
costs: $80 per way per shuttle to/from from SD Airport to the Oasis,
$55 per way per shuttle to/from SD airport to the Lucerna Hotel. The
Oasis Hospital van charges $40 per person (not per shuttle) to/from
the Lucerna. Have I confused and bored all of you bandsters? I
thought so...
Back to our January Fill Fiesta.... We got to the Oasis and after the
driver payment fiasco was over, we walked in the register and pay for
our fluoroscopy lab procerdure. It worked out to be $100 per person.
We met Lilly from Sacramento who was also waiting for her fill. We
then met a really nice lady from Hawaii that had been banded two days
earlier. We gathered in the Oasis cafeteria for an informal gathering
and to swap bandster stories. All of us have just started our
bandster journeys and many were there for their first fills. Since I
have never attended a bandster bash, it was nice to see the
comraderie and laughter there is when bandsters from all over the
U.S. gather. After a while, the vibrant Mama Ortiz stopped by to
greet us. The docs came in to greet us all after a surgery and we
snapped some "Kodak moments." I will post my pics when I finish the
film roll on Dr. O's board.
We lined up in the waiting for our fills in the fluoro lab hall. We
met two other ladies there for their fills--Candy and Michelle from
Bull Head City, AZ. They were banded six months ago and are near goal-
-congrats, ladies!! They come often for tweeks on their fills and
their weight loss results are great!! They also gave me the phone
number of a great Tijuana cab driver--I will post his number (when I
find it) for those that need to get around TJ. He speaks good English
and his rates are reasonable.
I was second to go in for a fill and of course, the charming docs put
me at ease. The xray equipment was as modern as the U.S. They know
what a scaredy-cat/wimp that I am so they talked me through the whole
procedure and Dr. Ortiz held my hand. Before I knew it, the fill was
over. They had put in 1.2 cc's. I thought my original fill had been
1.6cc's and was wondering why I went down. In actuality, they were
able to pull out 1.0 cc--the rest of .6cc's in there was air bubbles.
1.2cc felt okay and I was able to test it by drinking water after my
fill. Some bandsters got pretty aggressive fills--Evan's first fill
was 2.0 and Amy's fill went up 100% from .8 to 1.6cc. Remember,
newbies, everyone is different so don't worry about fill times or
fill amounts. 1.2cc's is okay for me because I am restricted even
with no fill at all.
The docs finished with all our fills (I think there were 10 of us) in
a little over an hour and we set off to our next destination. I had
wanted us to go to the Lucerna to eat the tortilla soup before we had
to go back to the airport but I figured the group woudn't be too
happy paying $320 for the one way trip there ($40 per person Oasis
van shuttle cost to the Lucrena times 8 people) to get a $5 bowl of
soup. No soup is worth that cost, right?!
So we bid farewell to the staff at the Oasis hospital (Daniella, the
patient coordinator, is so nice as were the male nurses (Sergio and
Randy) that took care of many of us during our surgeries). As were
walking out of the hospital, we made the mistake of walking through a
mini construction zone ( the Oasis is doing some renovations) and a
huge piece of ceiling crashed down a few feet away from us. I got a
teeny of drywall dust on me but I walked away unscathed. I remember
thinking to myself, "Hmmm, I guess our guardian angels travel with us
even to Mexico..." I also remembered what a nervous wreck I was when
I first visited the Oasis on the day of my surgery and had asked God
to send me a couple of angels. Instead, He sent me an army of angels
to help me in my Mexican bandster journey alone. Well, what was about
to happen to me and my bandster buds on the way to the airport
definitely proves God's guardian angels work overtime..even in MEXICO.
So eight of us left the hospital and were waiting for two shuttles to
take us to the airport. I wasn't too excited about getting to the
airport six hours before my flight (I'm the kind of person that
arrives just minutes before my flight and usually is the last to
board the plane) but I was in good company so I didn't mind...We had
waited and waited... Finally, only one shuttle showed up. Being the
ever-enterprising and nutty (did I say cheap?) Americans that we
were, we decided that it would be wise for ALL OF 8 OF US to pack
ourselves into a small mini-van. Seemed like a good idea at the
time........
We piled in like a bunch of over-packed banded sardines. Jill sat up
front with the driver. Amy, Katelyn and I sat in the second row of
seats, Dale (Katelyn's hubby) sat in the second row along with Margie
and her husband, and poor Evan was thrown in the back of the van with
no seat of his own(where the luggage goes)--sorry, Ev... We thought
we were so smart by all sharing this tiny van.... We were driving
along our merry way and then it happened... The weight of all of us
caused the wheel well to hit the tires and the underchassis of car to
drag to the ground. There was hardly any accelaration because the
weight of all of us caused such a dangerous drag on the road. There
were alternate sounds of wheel crunching, intense scrapping and of
our concern quickly turned into fear. Of course, the driver kept on
driving even though we were sure the one or more tires were about to
blow or shred. As were taking curves in the road, we were sure we
were going to roll the van. Between the nine of us in the van, there
was probably a ton of weight (easily over 2000 pounds) and you could
feel the wheels and axels under pressure. The driver had to maintain
extra control because it kept veering towards the embankment on its
own. The dragging, scrunching sound was unforgettable.
Throughout this drama, what bandsters did we bandsters do? We were
laughing so hard at the fact that we were so heavy that we could
actually cause our own accident. I know, not a funny matter but we
used laughter as a coping mechanism through this dangerous situation.
We were also confessing our pre-fill bandster sins. For example, Jill
was saying , "Maybe I shouldn't have eaten that banana split last
night to add to our collective weight.." and I said, "Yup, I should
have NEVER finished that half plate of nachos a few days ago..."
Funny Amy was whining , "This means I'm fat.." (No, Amy, sis, we all
are--except the driver who was 100 pounds soaking wet) and suggested
that we call ourselves the "Vanster Bandsters" and share our
hilarious Tijuana tale at all bandster bashes.
Katelyn and her hilarious hubby were saying this they'll tell about
this driving TJ adventure to their grandkids...Hmmmm, how do you tell
kids that their grandma and her overweight bandster buds turned a
mini van into a lowrider? Margie (a great scrapbooker) and her hubby
were giving a play-by-play account of the 20 minute ordeal--no doubt,
they'll put together a scrapbook journal of this experience.Margie's
hubby, a brillant techie, was calculating the engineering and
statistical probabilty of velocity, tire pressure and chances of a
roll over. Hee Hee.. BTW, Margie, congrats on the 50 pound weight
loss and thanks for the email.. Evan, oh poor Evan, he was scrunched
up in the luggage carrier and was wondering what he was doing in a
dangerously-careening, almost out of control, over-weighted vehicle
wondering what the heck he was doing with a bunch of nutty Ortizians.
Someone suggested that we put Evan in the front where the
transmission shift was but we thought that would be a bad idea since
he would be the first to fly out the windshield should the van roll.
He was very cool and told us this crazy experience has made him want
to go out an seek groups and bandster friends in the San Diego area.
Yeah!
Well, the driver pulled the vehicle over and told us that he would
call another driver. No doubt, his supervisor at the shuttle company
is going to yell at him for letting us ruin the axles, tires, shocks--
LOL. Can't wait to get that van repair bill in the mail--hee hee.
Another driver pulled up to unload the excess weight (ha ha) and we
were on our way. Both vans pulled up to the airport, we said our
goodbyes, snapped photos with the drivers and the infamous van, and
told each other that we would never forget this experience. We
suggested the newer, thinner, sleeker us all reunite one year later,
put the same eight people in the same van with the same driver and
see that van glide through TJ with no drag, no tire shredding, etc.
Hmm, I think we'll be so much lighter and healthier that not only
will the eight of us fit into the SAME van with the same driver but
we'll also be able to fit in an entire mariachi band and a lot of
bottles of tequila. We'll need the tequila to get through another
traumatic van ride with each other...
The moral of my TJ second fill experience? Well, newbies, get banded
in Mexico. The adventures themselves are worth the price of surgery!
The moral is don't try to stuff a huge bunch of bandsters and their
companions in a minivan--EVER, anywhere. Secondly, I read emotional
posts about overweight bandsters struggling with their weight, not
being able to weigh themselves because of scales that only go up to a
certain amount and being the butt of cruel jokes and comments. Even
though I only been overweight/obese for the last seven years, I can
empathize. The next time any of you are feeling aweful about your
weight, think about this humorously... Have any of you crushed a van
to the ground on its chassis? Well, I and all 216 pounds of me are
proud to say we have!!!! I had a little help from my friends in TJ,
of course...lol So, all you out there, don't worry! Your weight will
never drag a vehicle to the ground like ours.
So I get to the SD airport and hang around with Jill and Amy. Soup
and more bandster laughs. I ate the broth of some chicken noodle soup
and I felt intense pain when it went down. I decided I was okay
enough to leave for my flight from Phoenix. I arrived at the airport
and my friends in Phoenix called me to go out for drinks. I was tired
but I still decided to meet up with them. I had only four sips of my
virgin margarita and more band pain....Thankfully, today, Saturday,
the intense band pain has subsided.
No one knows I have a band (except my parents) so when my friends
last night asked, "What did you do today, Pam?" I replied, "You
wouldn't believe me if I told you." Yes, I feel like a rat for
telling my good friends about my band. I think it's funny how I just
pop in and pop out of Mexico and act like nothing's going on... hee
hee. I don't tell them because most of my good friends are opposed to
any weight loss surgery. Geez, I wonder what they'd say about my
little fill adventure yesterday. They'd have me committed for
sure...or assume I got drunk somehow on my virgin drink..
I kept thinking of the red head girl in the American Pie movies. You
know, the one that says over and over, "Well, THERE WAS THIS ONE TIME
AT BAND CAMP...." Well, I can't wait for more TJ fill adventures with
my south of the border bandster buds. There are many times I want to
tell my Phoenix friends, "THERE WAS THIS ONE TIME IN TIJUANA..." Hee
Hee
Robin, Dr. Ortiz', patient liason, unfortunately couldn't make it for
the TJ fill fiesta because her flight was snowed in the East Coast.
Well, Robin, my Lap Band mom, I hope to meet the person who always
calmed my pre-surgery nerves and has been a constant source of
inspiration and support. Robin, we were so bummed you couldn't come
to our fill fiesta.
To Sandy from Sacramento, the poster girl for
ObesityControlCenter.com--I'm sorry you couldn't make it to TJ. To
Dan, I love your posts and way to go on 104 lbs. gone. Dan, you
thought your posts were long? How about this doozy that I typed out
in an hour? hee hee. Well, everyone, excuse the long post... As some
of you know, I only write about my bandster experiences once a month
on these boards so excuse my ramblings. I guess I'll be forever known
on these bandster boards as that crazy girl from Phoenix who crushed
a shuttle to the ground in TJ. Oh, well....
To Jessie Ahroni and Sandy, RN--your advice is so great. I love how
you both incorporate your vast medical knowledge and personal
experiences with the band into your posts.
To Drs. Ortiz/Martinez, I couldn't have asked for more concerned,
knowledgeable, dedicated, caring, funny, experienced and more
brillant lap band surgeons. For you newbies, these docs are second to
none!!! Dr. O, on our next fill fiesta, we're making you and Dr.M
cancel surgeries to drive us across the border--just kidding! To Mama
Ortiz, you are a true sweetheart in every way!
To my Arizona Bandster buddies, Peri, Ardyn, Jill and all, sorry I
couldn't join you at Chili's for the 1 pm lunch today. I didn't think
I could keep soup down and I'm still recovering from six hour south
of the border adventure.
To my TJ Fiesta Fill Vanster Bandsters, there is not a group of
funnier and crazier people I'd rather crush a van to the ground than
with y'all. Amy, Margie, and Jill-you asked for the post and you got
it. It happened so much funnier than how I wrote about it--IT'S ONE
OF THESE EXPERIENCES WHERE YOU HAD TO BE THERE!. I hope to meet up
with you soon in TJ--I hope the eight of us don't wind up in a
Tijuana jail after our next fill fiesta--are we doing tequila shots
before or after our fills?...kidding...
Well, folks, there you have--my second fill adventure... Good times,
great people, a bit of drama, a bit of danger and A LOT OF LAUGHS!!
I'm going to a Super Bowl party at my neighbor's house tomorrow--yup,
I'll have to bring my own soup (on liquids for three days) and keep
my paws out of the yummy Super Bowl food goodies. That's the bad
news..The good news is that I've dropped a pound since my fill
yesterday. Since my surgery, I have lost 34 pounds (44 pounds
including my pre-op diet).. I am so happy!
Watch out for the new Mastercard commercials on Sunday. They feature
the Homers and are so cute. Here's my version of the commercial and I
decicate this to the "Vansters"
Cost of airline and shuttle transportation for my fill: $145
Fluoro lab cost for my fill: $100
A unforgettable fiesta fill adventure with my crazy bandster buddies:
PRICELESS
Hope everyone has a great Super Bowl weekend.
Hugs,
Pamela in Phoenix
Lap-Banded: 09/26/03 Drs. Ortiz/Martinez, Tijuana,MX
First Fill:11/12/03 1.0cc's Drs. Ortiz/Simpson, Phoenix,AZ
Second Fill: 01/30/04 1.2cc's Drs. Ortiz/Martinez, Tijuana,MX

Probably not too tight. Just tight. Don't eat tortillas is probably
the answer. I just eat "burrito guts" and let the tortilla go.
Do liquids for a day or two. Then try soft things for a day or so.
dan, who has had the same problems.
Saturday, January 31, 2004, 9:28:05 AM, you wrote:
d
d
d
d
d
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Sign up early for the 2008 Seattle Splash Bandster Bash and
Educational Conference, February 15-17 at the Seattle Marriott Hotel
near the airport and SAVE money!
The Seattle Splash Website http://barbooch2. homestead.
com/SeattleBands terSplash2008. html
Sign up to be part of the biggest and most exciting Bandster Bash ever
for Banded and Prospective Bandsters. Speakers include bariatric
surgeons, psychologists, nutritionists, a diabetic educator,
experienced Bandsters and more. and of course, the Splash in the
hotel's beautiful tropical pool and hot tub.
Come Friday night to meet the docs, get acquainted with fellow
bandsters and party. Get up Saturday morning for speakers and panels,
enjoy catered lunch and dinner, great entertainment including the
famous Before-and-After slide
slow, a Bandster Fashion Show, auction and lots more!
Sunday morning the conference goes on with speakers and more.
Event Early Bird Registration: $99.00 postmarked by January 7, 2008
Registration: $125.00 Postmarked Jan. 8nd Feb 1st, 2008
Late Registration: $150.00 Postmarked Feb. 2nd Day of Event
Do it today!

Please let me know if Dr. Dobson takes new patients, I live in
Euless, not far from Grand Prairie and it would be great if he did
other patients fills. .. I also went to Paris and they did a great
job, Dr. Clifford is wonderful. But I too would like to drive a much
shorter distance.... Please advise
Dragsdill
Dr. Lopez
9/26/03
260/227/160

Hi everyone,
I am three weeks post-op and am starting to think about my first fill (what will it be like, how much of a fill will I get?).
I've been wondering a lot lately about the amount of the first fill. Does Dr. Ortiz give every patient the same amount of fill for the first fill? If not, I wonder how he figures out how much to give each individual patient. I guess I am concerned that I'm going to travel all the way to MX for my first fill, get a fill, return home, and find I have absolutely no restriction.. That's one expensive trip for no restriction! Is Dr. Ortiz normally very conservative on his fills, and moreso on the first fill? Dan, after your experience in TX with getting a fill, I've realized there is NO WAY I want to get overfilled, but I also don't want to be underfilled! I also worry about getting overfilled, returning home (Colorado), THEN realizing I have too much fill.
Am I worrying too much? Please help!
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04

that's a relief! I don't have much knee/hip pain so I'm not sure the
weight loss will help with that part, but I'm sure it can't hurt!
thanks for the reply.

I have RA and have the band. It seems with each pound I lose my RA gets better. The excess weight sure does a number on RA. I originally got the band in order to help my high blood pressure, triglycerides and RA. The BP and T are now normal and RA is much better.

Good Luck, EB

Dr. Sanchez

4-19-03

Hello All:
Yesterday, I went down to TJ for my second fill with Drs.
Ortiz/Martinez. I met Amy from Salt Lake, my 9/26/03 band sister, at
the Southwest terminal. We then met up with other fellow Ortizians:
Margie and hubby from Chicago, Evan from San Diego and Katelyn and
hubby Dale from Pocatello, ID. Margie was sweet enough to make up
signs with our names on them so she could locate us.
There were two drivers and two shuttles waiting for us to take us to
the Oasis hospital for our fills. We arrived at the Oasis 20 minutes
later and discovered that our drivers were upset that they had been
underpaid by us. I used my ever-awful Spanish to figure out the
misunderstanding. We thought that one-way transportation was $55 per
shuttle (no matter how many people were in the shuttle). The drivers
insisted the one-way transportation to the hospital was $80 per
shuttle and not the $55 we thought it was. For you pre-Ortizian
banditos, there are no worries--all your transportation charges are
included in your surgery price. For you Ortizians that want to come
to TJ for fills, here's how the drivers explained the transportation
costs: $80 per way per shuttle to/from from SD Airport to the Oasis,
$55 per way per shuttle to/from SD airport to the Lucerna Hotel. The
Oasis Hospital van charges $40 per person (not per shuttle) to/from
the Lucerna. Have I confused and bored all of you bandsters? I
thought so...
Back to our January Fill Fiesta.... We got to the Oasis and after the
driver payment fiasco was over, we walked in the register and pay for
our fluoroscopy lab procerdure. It worked out to be $100 per person.
We met Lilly from Sacramento who was also waiting for her fill. We
then met a really nice lady from Hawaii that had been banded two days
earlier. We gathered in the Oasis cafeteria for an informal gathering
and to swap bandster stories. All of us have just started our
bandster journeys and many were there for their first fills. Since I
have never attended a bandster bash, it was nice to see the
comraderie and laughter there is when bandsters from all over the
U.S. gather. After a while, the vibrant Mama Ortiz stopped by to
greet us. The docs came in to greet us all after a surgery and we
snapped some "Kodak moments." I will post my pics when I finish the
film roll on Dr. O's board.
We lined up in the waiting for our fills in the fluoro lab hall. We
met two other ladies there for their fills--Candy and Michelle from
Bull Head City, AZ. They were banded six months ago and are near goal-
-congrats, ladies!! They come often for tweeks on their fills and
their weight loss results are great!! They also gave me the phone
number of a great Tijuana cab driver--I will post his number (when I
find it) for those that need to get around TJ. He speaks good English
and his rates are reasonable.
I was second to go in for a fill and of course, the charming docs put
me at ease. The xray equipment was as modern as the U.S. They know
what a scaredy-cat/wimp that I am so they talked me through the whole
procedure and Dr. Ortiz held my hand. Before I knew it, the fill was
over. They had put in 1.2 cc's. I thought my original fill had been
1.6cc's and was wondering why I went down. In actuality, they were
able to pull out 1.0 cc--the rest of .6cc's in there was air bubbles.
1.2cc felt okay and I was able to test it by drinking water after my
fill. Some bandsters got pretty aggressive fills--Evan's first fill
was 2.0 and Amy's fill went up 100% from .8 to 1.6cc. Remember,
newbies, everyone is different so don't worry about fill times or
fill amounts. 1.2cc's is okay for me because I am restricted even
with no fill at all.
The docs finished with all our fills (I think there were 10 of us) in
a little over an hour and we set off to our next destination. I had
wanted us to go to the Lucerna to eat the tortilla soup before we had
to go back to the airport but I figured the group woudn't be too
happy paying $320 for the one way trip there ($40 per person Oasis
van shuttle cost to the Lucrena times 8 people) to get a $5 bowl of
soup. No soup is worth that cost, right?!
So we bid farewell to the staff at the Oasis hospital (Daniella, the
patient coordinator, is so nice as were the male nurses (Sergio and
Randy) that took care of many of us during our surgeries). As were
walking out of the hospital, we made the mistake of walking through a
mini construction zone ( the Oasis is doing some renovations) and a
huge piece of ceiling crashed down a few feet away from us. I got a
teeny of drywall dust on me but I walked away unscathed. I remember
thinking to myself, "Hmmm, I guess our guardian angels travel with us
even to Mexico..." I also remembered what a nervous wreck I was when
I first visited the Oasis on the day of my surgery and had asked God
to send me a couple of angels. Instead, He sent me an army of angels
to help me in my Mexican bandster journey alone. Well, what was about
to happen to me and my bandster buds on the way to the airport
definitely proves God's guardian angels work overtime..even in MEXICO.
So eight of us left the hospital and were waiting for two shuttles to
take us to the airport. I wasn't too excited about getting to the
airport six hours before my flight (I'm the kind of person that
arrives just minutes before my flight and usually is the last to
board the plane) but I was in good company so I didn't mind...We had
waited and waited... Finally, only one shuttle showed up. Being the
ever-enterprising and nutty (did I say cheap?) Americans that we
were, we decided that it would be wise for ALL OF 8 OF US to pack
ourselves into a small mini-van. Seemed like a good idea at the
time........
We piled in like a bunch of over-packed banded sardines. Jill sat up
front with the driver. Amy, Katelyn and I sat in the second row of
seats, Dale (Katelyn's hubby) sat in the second row along with Margie
and her husband, and poor Evan was thrown in the back of the van with
no seat of his own(where the luggage goes)--sorry, Ev... We thought
we were so smart by all sharing this tiny van.... We were driving
along our merry way and then it happened... The weight of all of us
caused the wheel well to hit the tires and the underchassis of car to
drag to the ground. There was hardly any accelaration because the
weight of all of us caused such a dangerous drag on the road. There
were alternate sounds of wheel crunching, intense scrapping and of
our concern quickly turned into fear. Of course, the driver kept on
driving even though we were sure the one or more tires were about to
blow or shred. As were taking curves in the road, we were sure we
were going to roll the van. Between the nine of us in the van, there
was probably a ton of weight (easily over 2000 pounds) and you could
feel the wheels and axels under pressure. The driver had to maintain
extra control because it kept veering towards the embankment on its
own. The dragging, scrunching sound was unforgettable.
Throughout this drama, what bandsters did we bandsters do? We were
laughing so hard at the fact that we were so heavy that we could
actually cause our own accident. I know, not a funny matter but we
used laughter as a coping mechanism through this dangerous situation.
We were also confessing our pre-fill bandster sins. For example, Jill
was saying , "Maybe I shouldn't have eaten that banana split last
night to add to our collective weight.." and I said, "Yup, I should
have NEVER finished that half plate of nachos a few days ago..."
Funny Amy was whining , "This means I'm fat.." (No, Amy, sis, we all
are--except the driver who was 100 pounds soaking wet) and suggested
that we call ourselves the "Vanster Bandsters" and share our
hilarious Tijuana tale at all bandster bashes.
Katelyn and her hilarious hubby were saying this they'll tell about
this driving TJ adventure to their grandkids...Hmmmm, how do you tell
kids that their grandma and her overweight bandster buds turned a
mini van into a lowrider? Margie (a great scrapbooker) and her hubby
were giving a play-by-play account of the 20 minute ordeal--no doubt,
they'll put together a scrapbook journal of this experience.Margie's
hubby, a brillant techie, was calculating the engineering and
statistical probabilty of velocity, tire pressure and chances of a
roll over. Hee Hee.. BTW, Margie, congrats on the 50 pound weight
loss and thanks for the email.. Evan, oh poor Evan, he was scrunched
up in the luggage carrier and was wondering what he was doing in a
dangerously-careening, almost out of control, over-weighted vehicle
wondering what the heck he was doing with a bunch of nutty Ortizians.
Someone suggested that we put Evan in the front where the
transmission shift was but we thought that would be a bad idea since
he would be the first to fly out the windshield should the van roll.
He was very cool and told us this crazy experience has made him want
to go out an seek groups and bandster friends in the San Diego area.
Yeah!
Well, the driver pulled the vehicle over and told us that he would
call another driver. No doubt, his supervisor at the shuttle company
is going to yell at him for letting us ruin the axles, tires, shocks--
LOL. Can't wait to get that van repair bill in the mail--hee hee.
Another driver pulled up to unload the excess weight (ha ha) and we
were on our way. Both vans pulled up to the airport, we said our
goodbyes, snapped photos with the drivers and the infamous van, and
told each other that we would never forget this experience. We
suggested the newer, thinner, sleeker us all reunite one year later,
put the same eight people in the same van with the same driver and
see that van glide through TJ with no drag, no tire shredding, etc.
Hmm, I think we'll be so much lighter and healthier that not only
will the eight of us fit into the SAME van with the same driver but
we'll also be able to fit in an entire mariachi band and a lot of
bottles of tequila. We'll need the tequila to get through another
traumatic van ride with each other...
The moral of my TJ second fill experience? Well, newbies, get banded
in Mexico. The adventures themselves are worth the price of surgery!
The moral is don't try to stuff a huge bunch of bandsters and their
companions in a minivan--EVER, anywhere. Secondly, I read emotional
posts about overweight bandsters struggling with their weight, not
being able to weigh themselves because of scales that only go up to a
certain amount and being the butt of cruel jokes and comments. Even
though I only been overweight/obese for the last seven years, I can
empathize. The next time any of you are feeling aweful about your
weight, think about this humorously... Have any of you crushed a van
to the ground on its chassis? Well, I and all 216 pounds of me are
proud to say we have!!!! I had a little help from my friends in TJ,
of course...lol So, all you out there, don't worry! Your weight will
never drag a vehicle to the ground like ours.
So I get to the SD airport and hang around with Jill and Amy. Soup
and more bandster laughs. I ate the broth of some chicken noodle soup
and I felt intense pain when it went down. I decided I was okay
enough to leave for my flight from Phoenix. I arrived at the airport
and my friends in Phoenix called me to go out for drinks. I was tired
but I still decided to meet up with them. I had only four sips of my
virgin margarita and more band pain....Thankfully, today, Saturday,
the intense band pain has subsided.
No one knows I have a band (except my parents) so when my friends
last night asked, "What did you do today, Pam?" I replied, "You
wouldn't believe me if I told you." Yes, I feel like a rat for
telling my good friends about my band. I think it's funny how I just
pop in and pop out of Mexico and act like nothing's going on... hee
hee. I don't tell them because most of my good friends are opposed to
any weight loss surgery. Geez, I wonder what they'd say about my
little fill adventure yesterday. They'd have me committed for
sure...or assume I got drunk somehow on my virgin drink..
I kept thinking of the red head girl in the American Pie movies. You
know, the one that says over and over, "Well, THERE WAS THIS ONE TIME
AT BAND CAMP...." Well, I can't wait for more TJ fill adventures with
my south of the border bandster buds. There are many times I want to
tell my Phoenix friends, "THERE WAS THIS ONE TIME IN TIJUANA..." Hee
Hee
Robin, Dr. Ortiz', patient liason, unfortunately couldn't make it for
the TJ fill fiesta because her flight was snowed in the East Coast.
Well, Robin, my Lap Band mom, I hope to meet the person who always
calmed my pre-surgery nerves and has been a constant source of
inspiration and support. Robin, we were so bummed you couldn't come
to our fill fiesta.
To Sandy from Sacramento, the poster girl for
ObesityControlCenter.com--I'm sorry you couldn't make it to TJ. To
Dan, I love your posts and way to go on 104 lbs. gone. Dan, you
thought your posts were long? How about this doozy that I typed out
in an hour? hee hee. Well, everyone, excuse the long post... As some
of you know, I only write about my bandster experiences once a month
on these boards so excuse my ramblings. I guess I'll be forever known
on these bandster boards as that crazy girl from Phoenix who crushed
a shuttle to the ground in TJ. Oh, well....
To Jessie Ahroni and Sandy, RN--your advice is so great. I love how
you both incorporate your vast medical knowledge and personal
experiences with the band into your posts.
To Drs. Ortiz/Martinez, I couldn't have asked for more concerned,
knowledgeable, dedicated, caring, funny, experienced and more
brillant lap band surgeons. For you newbies, these docs are second to
none!!! Dr. O, on our next fill fiesta, we're making you and Dr.M
cancel surgeries to drive us across the border--just kidding! To Mama
Ortiz, you are a true sweetheart in every way!
To my Arizona Bandster buddies, Peri, Ardyn, Jill and all, sorry I
couldn't join you at Chili's for the 1 pm lunch today. I didn't think
I could keep soup down and I'm still recovering from six hour south
of the border adventure.
To my TJ Fiesta Fill Vanster Bandsters, there is not a group of
funnier and crazier people I'd rather crush a van to the ground than
with y'all. Amy, Margie, and Jill-you asked for the post and you got
it. It happened so much funnier than how I wrote about it--IT'S ONE
OF THESE EXPERIENCES WHERE YOU HAD TO BE THERE!. I hope to meet up
with you soon in TJ--I hope the eight of us don't wind up in a
Tijuana jail after our next fill fiesta--are we doing tequila shots
before or after our fills?...kidding...
Well, folks, there you have--my second fill adventure... Good times,
great people, a bit of drama, a bit of danger and A LOT OF LAUGHS!!
I'm going to a Super Bowl party at my neighbor's house tomorrow--yup,
I'll have to bring my own soup (on liquids for three days) and keep
my paws out of the yummy Super Bowl food goodies. That's the bad
news..The good news is that I've dropped a pound since my fill
yesterday. Since my surgery, I have lost 34 pounds (44 pounds
including my pre-op diet).. I am so happy!
Watch out for the new Mastercard commercials on Sunday. They feature
the Homers and are so cute. Here's my version of the commercial and I
decicate this to the "Vansters"
Cost of airline and shuttle transportation for my fill: $145
Fluoro lab cost for my fill: $100
A unforgettable fiesta fill adventure with my crazy bandster buddies:
PRICELESS
Hope everyone has a great Super Bowl weekend.
Hugs,
Pamela in Phoenix
Lap-Banded: 09/26/03 Drs. Ortiz/Martinez, Tijuana,MX
First Fill:11/12/03 1.0cc's Drs. Ortiz/Simpson, Phoenix,AZ
Second Fill: 01/30/04 1.2cc's Drs. Ortiz/Martinez, Tijuana,MX

I was just diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis two days ago. Does
anyone know how this might interact with my band?
wendy in birmingham
rumbaut, 8/5/03

Hello:
I am a newcomer to this group. Having been a grand lady from early
on I have recently requested help using new methods (to me) and
currently am awaiting the result of scrutiny of my medical records
by those whose authorization is needed before anything can be done.
My sis (thus the on-line name) recently had the gastric banding
procedure done in Tijuana. At this point I am simply an observer
and reader of your queries and responses. Thanks to you, I am
learning much-needed information from those who are on this journey
to wellness. I cannot offer advise, but believe I need to identify
myself as a lady in waiting, while learning from your varied
experiences. The internet provides lots of information and I am on
a quest to learn as much as possible so that I am ready when my turn
comes. Good luck to all of us.

Also, Kim, about your laptop, there is a card in the hotel room (at the
Lucerna) about how to hook up to the internet. I wasn't able to use my
laptop while there because I'm a rather new MAC user and don't have a PC
anymore. The card specifically had instructions for hooking up with a PC,
and I was too embarassed to tell anyone that I was lost when it came to
using my iBook.
(I do, however, love my MAC and wouldn't trade it for anything).
Suzanne

Kim
I don't know if the Lucerna or the hospital has a safe, but I imagine they
would.
I had my laptop and my digital camera with me, and I was a little hesitant
to leave them in the hotel room, but did anyway. I didn't want to be
paranoid about it, so I just made up my mind that things would be fine. And
they were. I did actually put my laptop and camera under a pillow on the
bed, though, just to not have them sitting in my suitcase while out of the
room. For some reason, I was not at all worried about having these things
in my suitcase at the hospital. I was in my room almost the entire time,
except for the time I was in surgery, and I left my suitcase closed and
locked in the closet when I wasn't there.
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04
237/226/whatever weight feels and looks good - especially in a bathing suit
(o:

Hi Gina!
I was also banded by Dr. Sanchez on 11/8/03. I am also in the DFW area and I have gone to Paris TX Radiology for the 1 fill that I have gotten thus far. Tell me a little about Dr. Dobson. Does he accept new fill patients and patients that were banded in MX? Is he a band doc? What are his fees? I would be really interested in finding a fill doctor a little closer to me. Maybe you could add his contact information to the fill doc database in the files section.
Welcome!
~Lea
11/08/03 Dr. Sanchez
259/224/219 Mini Goal
In a message dated 1/30/2004 11:28:26 PM Central Standard Time, ladyjack59@... writes:

Hello everyone....I am coming to this group cuz I was banded by
Dr.Sanchez on September 19th 2003 and the groupsite he used has shut
down and now, like so many cattle, I am trying to find my herd so to
speak. I am in Dallas and we have a hard time finding fill doctors
here so any new info would be great. Although, I have an appt with
Dr. Walter Dobson in Grand Prairie on the 4th which is only a half
hour from me, for my second fill. I am happy to see Dan, and
ArdieRose here and a few others so hello to you all. I seem to be
holding at 23 pounds down for quite some time now and I am ready for
a fill. Just wanted to introduce myself and say hello and now I will
sit back and listen to ya'll for a while....
Gina In Dallas
365/342/the sky's the limit

I found him on www.belighter.com
steven

How do you know if you have something stuck, I ate something
yesterday (partial flour tortilla) 2nd fill was on the 19th of Jan
and I upchucked and have a very sore feeling inside and even drinking
water hurts....please let me know if anyone has expierenced this -
perhaps my 2nd fill is too tight....
need your help - miserable
Dragsdill

Roz,
People vary. Some don't need a fill until months after banding. I
needed a fill the first 4 weeks after banding. The first fill
didn't restrict me so I had to go back two weeks later for another
fill. The second gave restriction but the travel and fill costs
totaled $800.
Some people don't find restriction even after the second or third
fill. Knowing this well in advance is important. You might find a
doctor including fills in the cost of surgery but if you don't
return to them for a fill it's better to find a doctor who lets you
pay for fills as needed.
Weight loss is an average of 0-40 pounds the first month and 1-3
pound loss a week after the healing. 1-3 pounds may not sound like
a lot but it is exciting for me to weigh myself of Monday loose a
pound by Wednesday and another by the end of the weekend!
Loosing it slowing is the best way to do it. The ones who tend to
loose it "very very slow" are those who have not been aggressive in
finding their right level of restriction. I lost 17 pounds the
first month (October). Then I had no restriction so I went for a
fill in November. I still was not restricted but couldn't return
for my second fill until January.
Now I'm restricted again and lost another 9 pounds in three weeks.
If I found my restriction in November at my current weight loss
average I could have lost 30 pounds. They say to wait two weeks
after your fill to wait for the swelling to go down or see if the
band tightens. Mine didn't and I was discouraged, even looking back
I think, "if only I had restriction in November...I would have loss
more." But I'm in it for the long haul and know by this summer I'll
be closer to 200 than 300.
As for a web site, I think in the database you'll find some fill
doctors and their region. Also post where you live and see if anyone
knows where to get a fill in your area. Some doctors fill then stop
then start again. Some don't.
It is very important you know all of this BEFORE you get the
surgery. Without proper restriction you won't loose unless you
diet. Even with diets I just maintained my weight. Also setting
realistic goals are very important. You don't want to expect to
loose 20 pounds a month and get disappointed if you loose 8-12 .
Kimberly
Dr. Rodriguez
9/31/03 (band date)
314/289/150

Suzanne,

Thanks for understanding about the fluids while eating! I agree 100% I too have had the golf ball and the chest pain and have found the water makes it worse! Thanks for having the same experience as me!

I was banded on 1-14/04 Dr Rodriguez Acuna Mx. Wednesday I was down 11 lbs. I am 45 1/2 years old. You and I seem to be alot alike!!!

It nice to have someone in the same stage as me. We will soon be in the fill stage which has lots of reading on these sites.

Jane
Suzanne Ryan <zanner624@...

I'm only 3 weeks post-op, but I have a difficult time not drinking when I
eat. I think part of the problem is that I've been so used to drinking
while eating, it's just difficult to change this habit. The other part of
the problem is that I really, really hate that golf-ball-food-stuck-feeling.
I have realized, though, the ONLY way to correct the problem is to eat
slower and eat smaller bites. I learned very quickly that taking even a
small drink of water on top of having food "stuck" doesn't cure the problem.
It only becomes more uncomfortable (not like pre-op days where a drink would
wash the food down!).
Oh, what a learning experience this is! I try not to be too hard on myself
if I goof up a little because I know it took me 46 years to learn these
habits and now it may take a little time to undo them. (sigh).
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04
-10 pounds

Apparently, finding fill doctors seems like a difficult thing. Having not been banded as of yet, I have no idea how soon one needs a fill and how they become aware when they need one. Can you fill me in on this? (no pun intended!) Also, everyone seems to lose weight at a different rate and some seem to lose it very, very slow.............is there an average amount of weight loss one can expect??? What does weight loss depend on? And finally, is there a website or list or somehting that lets people know who and where they can have fills done in the United States??? I am sure that most of these questions will be answered once I get banded, however, I was hoping to get some answers before. Let me know if you have any of these answers, I would appreciate it!
Thanks,
Roz

Hello everyone....I am coming to this group cuz I was banded by
Dr.Sanchez on September 19th 2003 and the groupsite he used has shut
down and now, like so many cattle, I am trying to find my herd so to
speak. I am in Dallas and we have a hard time finding fill doctors
here so any new info would be great. Although, I have an appt with
Dr. Walter Dobson in Grand Prairie on the 4th which is only a half
hour from me, for my second fill. I am happy to see Dan, and
ArdieRose here and a few others so hello to you all. I seem to be
holding at 23 pounds down for quite some time now and I am ready for
a fill. Just wanted to introduce myself and say hello and now I will
sit back and listen to ya'll for a while....
Gina In Dallas
365/342/the sky's the limit

I'm only 3 weeks post-op, but I have a difficult time not drinking when I
eat. I think part of the problem is that I've been so used to drinking
while eating, it's just difficult to change this habit. The other part of
the problem is that I really, really hate that golf-ball-food-stuck-feeling.
I have realized, though, the ONLY way to correct the problem is to eat
slower and eat smaller bites. I learned very quickly that taking even a
small drink of water on top of having food "stuck" doesn't cure the problem.
It only becomes more uncomfortable (not like pre-op days where a drink would
wash the food down!).
Oh, what a learning experience this is! I try not to be too hard on myself
if I goof up a little because I know it took me 46 years to learn these
habits and now it may take a little time to undo them. (sigh).
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04
-10 pounds

hi all
just wanted to let you know that i have scheduled my surgery for
march 5 yea!!
we are going to go a few days earlier and was interested in safe
things to do in Tiajuana. any suggestions?
also is there anyone else out there that will be banded by dr. ortiz
that day i would love to meet you
thanks for the wonderful feed back as of late
julie

So, you scheduled your appt for your fill, they said that date was okay,
then later told you that he was going to be out-of-town??? This would NOT
make me happy.
Did you happen to ask Dr. Kuri's office how they thought you ought to deal
with the non-refundable tickets that you had already purchased? Surely,
all of these Mexican docs know that a good portion of people that come for
fills are flying in and need to make the (expensive) arrangements ahead of
time.
I think I'd be inclined to respectfully ask that Dr. Kuri's office pay the
$100 fee to change the date of your flight. Why should you have to absorb
that cost when they told you the original fill date would work for them?
Just my two cents.
Suzanne

Terri,
I think if you feel confident that your friend knows what she is doing now
that she is trained, then go for it. Remember, every doctor, every surgeon,
every fill doctor has to start somewhere, and I think it's admirable when
people offer themselves as "guinea pigs" to help these folks get a start. I
myself wouldn't hesitate if I had a brand new fill doc very close to where I
live.
I'm curious about something else, too. You said your friend trained with
Dr. Lopez to do fills. Is your friend a nurse or in the medical field in
some other capacity? I've often wondered what type of qualifications one
must have to train to do fills. Lord knows we need more fill "docs" in the
US for patients who have had their surgery in Mexico!
Please keep us posted on what you decide to do!
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04
237/227/139

Kent, you ROCK!!!! Thank you so much.

You can also check:

www.gastricband.com

Olivia

Hi Terri,
I wouldn't be afraid to try her. As far as "ultrasound", I'm
wondering if you might mean flouroscope w/barium swallow. Some
doctors use the flouro/barium to check out the band and how saline
is going through when getting the fill. You have some time to go
before needing a fill so continue to give it thought as to who you
want to do the fill. Good luck and enjoy you Bandster journey.
Ardie/Fl.
//
trained to do fills? or would you go back to MX.//

weight at banding, current weight, goal weight
Friday, January 30, 2004, 2:26:07 PM, you wrote:
Rac
Rac
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Probably more than you would ever want to know about the band and
taxes, but here it is anyway.
Kent
A Taxpayer's Guide on IRS Policy to Deduct Weight Control Treatment
On April 2, 2002, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a
change in its policy regarding how taxpayers may deduct the costs of
weight
loss / weight control programs.
The following are interpretations of the American Obesity
Association regarding the IRS policy. We want to emphasize that this
is our
interpretation; not an official interpretation. Consult your
professional
tax advisor on how this new policy effects your specific tax
situation.
What has changed?
The IRS set out a new policy in a Revenue Ruling (2002-19) on
April 2, 2002.
New Policy: In Revenue Ruling 2002-19, the IRS stated that,
"Obesity is medically accepted to be a disease in its own right." The
IRS
ruled that, "Uncompensated amounts paid by individuals for
participation in
a weight-loss program as treatment for a specific disease or diseases
(including obesity) diagnosed by a physician are expenses for medical
care
that are deductible under § 213, subject to the limitations of that
section."
Who is eligible for the deduction?
There are three categories of persons who may be eligible.
First, taxpayers who itemize their deductions can add these costs to
the
costs of medical and dental expenses. Within this category, taxpayers
can
only deduct medical and dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of their
adjusted
gross income and that are not reimbursed.
Second, many employees have medical savings accounts (MSAs)
through their employers. MSAs use the same definitions of medical
expenses,
as do individual taxpayers. Therefore, employees can use their MSAs
for
weight loss programs if undertaken at a physician's direction to
treat an
existing disease.
Third, many employers provide Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs)
that may provide this coverage. FSAs, also, use the same definitions
of
medical expenses, as do individual taxpayers
Revenue Ruling 2002-19 gives examples of two taxpayers
participating in weight-loss programs. They paid fees to join the
programs
and to attend periodic meetings and purchased diet plans and
booklets. One
was diagnosed by a doctor as obese, the other as suffering from
hypertension. Both participated in the programs as a treatment for
their
diseases. The costs related to their weight-loss programs would be
deductible for these taxpayers, to the extent not reimbursed by
insurance or
otherwise.
Taxpayers may deduct qualifying medical expenses only to the
extent the total of such expenses exceeds 7.5 percent of their
adjusted
gross income.
The ruling distinguishes these cases from situations in which
taxpayers participate in weight-loss programs to improve their general
health or appearances. Such costs are nondeductible personal expenses.
Although diet foods may also be part of a weight-loss program,
these are substitutes for the food the taxpayers normally consume and
satisfy their nutritional requirements. As such, they are not
deductible
medical expenses, even for taxpayers whose disease qualifies them to
deduct
weight loss program costs.
This guidance applies not only to the 2001 tax returns being
filed this year, but also to any years for which taxpayers may file
amended
returns. Generally, a person may amend a return for three years after
the
due date. Thus, a taxpayer who did not have an extension to file
would have
until April 15, 2002, to amend a 1998 return.
Rev. Rul. 2002-19 will be available soon on the IRS Web site at
www.irs.gov It will be published in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2002-16,
dated April 22, 2002.

Friday, January 30, 2004, 2:50:51 PM, you wrote:
LD
LD
If they're available those dates I imagine Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Martinez
would do it. Their clinic or hospital that they use charge about 110
for the fluoro. Don't know what the docs would charge for their
service. Imagine the getting to TJ and hotel and all that would be
the same with any doc in TJ. Why not phone Dr. Ortiz and find out?
In my experience you can often do better on last minute tickets than
you can on ones bought ahead, at least if you have the flexibility on
when you go.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Hi,
I need some advice. A few weeks ago I scheduled my first fill with Dr. Kuri
who did my surgery almost 4 weeks ago. I purchased my "non-refundable"
plane tickets at that time since they are much cheaper in advance. I got a
call about a week ago from his office saying that they need to reschedule my
appointment since Dr. Kuri will be out of town when my appointment was
supposed to be.
My plane tickets cost $232.00. I haven't spoken from anyone with American
Airlines yet, but it is my understanding from the small print that you
cannot get a refund on the tickets and that you can only change the date, in
which case you have to pay an additional $100 "fee". That is almost half of
what I paid for the tickets.
As I see it, I have a few options. I can ask the airline for a "credit" and
use the tickets at some later date, and get my first fill with a doctor
locally. I could just change the date to the following week and pay the
extra $100.00. OR, if there is another doctor in TJ who would do another
doctor's fills I might consider that depending on how much it cost.
I am so disappointed that this happened and my husband who doesn't know yet
won't be to happy about it either. If I go locally, it will cost $160.00
TOPS, no more. If I go to TJ on my original date and go with another
doctor, I will pay for the ride from the airport, a hotel over night, etc.
I don't know what to do.
Does anyone know of another doc in TJ who would do a fill for a Kuri
patient. Maybe Dr. Ortiz?
I am feeling so so much better btw, I had some support from you all and a
few of my local bandster buddies who phoned me. But when it really hit me
and when I became so happy and excited about this thing was when I ate a
"real meal" (off soft foods) for the first time. I had a Lean Cuisine and
could only eat half and felt satisfied. It showed me that no matter what,
this thing is going to work. And I have been steadily (BUT SLOWLY) loosing
weight. In the old days I would have given up. But with the band, I can't
completely give up. Anyway, I know I read all of this but until I
experienced it myself, I didn't really KNOW it, ya know?
Thanks for any advice,
Lisa
230/217/140
Dr. Kuri, 1/5/04

Friday, January 30, 2004, 2:05:43 PM, you wrote:
TL
TL
TL
TL
Well, you have weeks before you decide. But remember, everyone has to
do their first fill, their second, their fiftieth, and so forth.
TL
TL
The price is surely right. I'd never heard of doing it with
ultrasound, but if you can see the baby move around, imagine you can
see the band and the fluid too.
I'd probably try it, if it were near me.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Hi all,
I want to know what you think about this, I have a friend who is a
PA. She was trained by Dr. Lopez back in Nov-Dec thru INAMED to do
fills for patients here in my area (AZ). She has only done about 20
fills under Dr. Lopez supervision and is currently setting up with
an "ultrasound group" so that she can start doing fills.
Here is my question - would you use someone that is freshly trained
to do fills? or would you go back to MX. I am only 6 days post-op
but am thinking about when the time arrives what should I do? And
the ultrasound thing how does that work?
Her prices are good - $75 with out the ultrasound and $150 with. I
can't beat that. Anyway give me your thoughts, please.
Terri in AZ
Dr. Kuri 01.24.04
181/177/105 4'10

Here is the CORRECT website for the Seattle Splash, Feb 15-17 (the
first one had spaces in it).
Please join us!
http://barbooch2.homestead.com/SeattleBandsterSplash2008.html

Dr. Sanchez does use the 11cm band....you will have to ask him about it more, but I remember hearing it gives greater flexibility with restriction as more room to move up or down, plus I remember hearing about less possible erosion into the stomach........I am not a medical person...... he does use other bands too and he thought this one was best for me so that is what I have.....the only negative I have heard from others who have the 11 band is getting that restriction right is so hard because of that extra room but if you read these posts, many people with every kind of band have a hard time finding that "perfect fill" that works for them.........I don't vomit or pb ever and don't have much restriction but I am losing weight (SLOWLY) and learning from the people who write here...

Leslie
lisa3502003 <lisa3502003@...

Hello, I'd first like to thank all of you who responded to me. I
really thank you for all your advice and revelations.I am getting
banded on March 6,2004, with Dr. Sanchez. I have a couple more
questions??? About the band itself what size band does Dr. Sanchez
use apposed to the one the other Dr. uses the 9.75. And why does he
use a different one is there a real reason or not.anyone
experience and vomiting or sore throat? I am 5'6" and weigh 303lbs

Well, I'm down seven pounds since the last pix, so doubt if it would
look that much different. I'll probably wait until next month to do
new pix, as I've done them every two months (but seem to have lost the
ones from October...probably somewhere on my hard drive with a zillion
other pix, including the Seattle Bash pix I need to get up).
dan
Friday, January 30, 2004, 8:43:16 AM, you wrote:
LD
LD
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Friday, January 30, 2004, 12:12:40 AM, you wrote:
b
No, I think the reference was to a different one, but I'm glad you hit
on this one.
b
b
b
Actually, I think that the ones who fade away ARE the majority of
successful ones. They've accomplished their goals, they're living
happily at a normal weight, they live with their band on a daily
basis, they get on with their lives. I think of it as something like
some friends who've had heart surgery. For a period of time their
heart is the only thing they're interested in. How it feels, whether
there is a pain, whether something is fluttering weird in there, how
they're feeling after the surgery, whether a twinge means a heart
attack, whether they can or should exercise and how much, whether what
they're eating has too much cholesterol, and so forth. Sound familiar?
But once they're a year or two out from surgery, they're "normal"
again, living their lives like anyone else. Sure, some of that is
always in the back of their minds, they know that they could have
another attack, and so forth, but it is no longer the center of their
existence. For those of us who are recovering alcoholics, many of us
don't go to meetings every day or every week now, as I did some 14
years ago when I was getting sober. I go once in a while to catch up
with people, to get a "booster shot" when I need it, but it is no
longer the center of my life. That's because I'm now LIVING the life
of a sober person, and getting closer to LIVING the life of a
non-obese person (in another month or so I hope to be no longer obese
but simply overweight). Will I stick around these boards? I hope so.
Will I do my best to continue to be positive and supportive and not
holier than anyone else? I hope so.
b
b
b
b
b
Yes, I expect to stay restricted in order to continue to assist me in
dealing with my eating. But I also firmly believe that many of us DO
learn to live with eating like a normal person and we lose the
cravings that we've had in the past. Just as I no longer crave
scotch, tequila, or beer (and can't really even imagine having them
again), I also rarely crave pizza, baked potatoes with sour cream and
cheese, pie, cake, or all sorts of other things. I still struggle
with things like cheesecake, but maybe that too will pass. Or, better
yet, I'll be able to have a small piece of some special dessert on
occasion without feeling the desire for the whole darn thing.
b
b
b
b
b
b
I agree that like having a baby, jumping out of a plane, or lots of
other things, there's nothing like the experience, and it can't be
completely simulated or explained. However, I think the reference was
to those people, whom we've all met in real life or on the net, who
are of the "well, this didn't magically and instantly make me lose
weight with no struggle or problems so give me a damn refund or rip
the sucker out of there". Those are the people who didn't do their
research, didn't read the boards for a couple months, and come up with
questions like "I got banded last week and I ate a Whopper and how
come I threw up or am in pain". We've all seen them. I'm not jumping
on anyone in particular, but am continually amazed about people who go
into a surgery that costs them (or their insurance company) thousands
of dollars without doing their research. Maybe they're the same folks
who walk into the car dealer and say "I'll take that pretty blue one"
without ever driving it.
b
b
b
b
b
Absolutely, we're all different, and we're all having somewhat
different experiences. But I'm not personally convinced that there
aren't those who REALLY DO get past their emotional and habitual
issues regarding food. It's a bitch to do in many cases, but it IS
possible to do with the support of others, including professionals as
necessary, and with real love and commitment.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Way to go Dan. You are an inspiration to us all!! Almost ready for another
photo on your website?
Lisa

Thursday, January 29, 2004, 10:15:43 PM, you wrote:
wcc
wcc
Yup, that's tough. Just practice eating like a bandster to the best of
your ability. It's especially hard when you don't have much
restriction, but you can do it. At least you're holding your own,
right?
wcc
wcc
and
wcc
To quote a friend, you're not special enough to be the one who'll
fail.
wcc
wcc
18 in
wcc
wcc
Hey, you can do it. Even if you only get to 150, think how much
better you'll look and feel. I'll be 61 next week, so if this old
fart can do it, you surely can too.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Hi,
I do hope that sharing openly and honestly is accepted here. Being
new and doing research for surgery as serious as this is a bit
difficult when it must be done without face to face contact. I am
unsure what good this posting from Belighter.com is and why is it
necessary to let everyone know that you are splitting from Dr.
Sanchez. I have not yet had my surgery done so I am unaware of who
is right and who is wrong and who is who. The message from
Belighter.com seemed very unprofessional to me, that is merely my
opinion as a professional. The relationship between Belighter and
Dr. Sanchez is just that.........a relationship between two
professionals. Why must that be the business of the patients. Each
of your reputations will speak for themselves and you should handle
your conflicts between each other WITH each other. I have to say
that I am impressed that Dr. Sanchez and his office did not resond
nor did they post information in a place that is as inappropriate as
this. Being a professional myself, I am aware of the damage that can
be done to one's reputation on these boards. If it is not your
personal experience as a patient, it should not be shared. Whoever
handled this posting for Belighter, I do believe that you should bone
up on ethics. In the meantime, I thank all of you for sharing your
personal experience, strength and hope with me during a very
difficult time. It's amazing what support is felt through a computer
screen. Thanks!
Roz

When I went back for fills with Dr. Ortiz I either crossed myself by
car, or arranged to be met at the airport. Mrs. Ortiz had a van at
the airport for me on my latest fill, as I'd requested. Naturally I
paid the driver his fee. I could have done other things, but chose
that one, even though it cost more. You can always arrange a ride at
the airport when you get there, too.
dan
Thursday, January 29, 2004, 8:15:55 PM, you wrote:
EZ
EZ
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Welcome B. Your young spirit shines through in your writing. I love
your username too. Don't fret. When you get a fill things will
start happening. I think those of us who eat emotionally will ALWAYS
have to fight that demon, but puking a few times helps you choose
other ways. As for your goal weight, how tall are you? How did you
choose that number?
wendy, 35 y.o.
rumbaut, 8/5/03

Hi There,
What a neat idea to get banded together (no pun intended). Dr.Ortiz and
his associates did my band 3 weeks ago at Oasis Hospital and I can't say
enough good things about the experience. They were so careing, efficent,
orgainized and fun! You are in for a wonderful experience that will change your
lives.
Good Luck and
God speed, B

Hi,
I got banded 3 weeks ago by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana and can't say enough
wonderful things about him and the whole experience. The first week I lost 10
lbs., the second week gained 1 LB and this week am the same. This week has been
tough, my appetite is back and it seems like I have hardly any restriction on
what I can eat. POOH!!!! I know any loss in the first few weeks is a bonus
but I am still scared. All those old fears of whether it will work for me and
the fear of fighting this weight loss battle for life!!!!, are starting to
nag at me again. I want so to be HEALTHY and slim again, I'm 62 (going on 18 in
my head) Highest 210, banded at 198, now 188, goal
130 in about a year.
My e-mail name? I had a boyfriend in the 6th grade, way back in the
'50s, he called me Fatbone (I wonder why), that went on for a few years, (I
didn't
really mind it). In looking for an e-mail name I wanted to use it for old
time sake but I WON'T BE FAT ANYMORE, so I chose wasfatbone. LOL Cheers, B

Can anybody recommend a dentist in TJ that does Britesmile or Zoom
for whitening teeth. I need to go down there to see Dr. Lopez so
thought I would also see a dentist.
Thanks!!
Robyn M.
Dr. Lopez, 9/2/2002
221/162

I've been wondering also, Laura. I sent her a private email with no
response. I'm hoping all is well with her as well as her husband.
Ardie

Thursday, January 29, 2004, 5:02:12 PM, you wrote:
b
b
Actually 104, not yet 109. Maybe next month.
b
b
Well, I've not had a drink in 14 years, so I don't. (recovering
alcoholic, and now a recovering foodaholic). But yes, many bandsters
have an occasional adult beverage. Of course they're liquid calories,
and high calorie, so you've got to be very moderate. Also, some
people are irritated by them. And you'll get buzzed much faster since
you're having so little food in there with the booze.
b
b
b
b
b
I can't eat the crust, but can eat the toppings off of them. Hell,
lots of people do that anyway, so not a big deal to me. I can't do
any bread stuff, but some can, though don't think many can.
All will vary with your amount of restriction, too.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Yes. The IRS doesn't care where your medical expenses were or by
whom.
Thursday, January 29, 2004, 3:58:46 PM, you wrote:
g
g
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Thursday, January 29, 2004, 2:37:10 PM, you wrote:
GT
GT
GT
I also eat salmon regularly, several times a week. No rice, though.
White carbs, too many calories, and for me it gets stuck.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Thursday, January 29, 2004, 3:13:38 PM, you wrote:
j
j
j
Yup. That's right. You've got other sticky stuff blocking the way,
and going down slowly. So food doesn't go down well. That's a good
thing.
j
j
j
j
j
j
j
Look at it as "a free fill". May not last a long time, but be
thankful for the restriction for now.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Way to go Dan!!! You deserve it. You are such a great participant
in this group. Always "paying it forward", so to speak. Keep up the
good work. What an inspiration.
wendy

Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 5:28 PM

Subject: Re: [mexicanbandsters] fill doc in chicago

Jvituic@... is his e-mail he is in Downers Grove north end of chicago close to Bolinbrook. Fill are on Thurs 7:30 for $100.00 Good luck Debby

Sarah, good for you put the word out there about this amazing band. There are so many people out there suffering not knowing about the band. It would make a good article, everyone that I talk to about the band even skinny people are so interested in how it works and are amazed.

Good luck and let us know where we can read your article.

Good luck because I was so pissed at the article about the band in
the February 2004 issue of Allure magazine, that I wouldn't trust any
journalist to write about the band (and it's not the first time this
has happened); it always seems there's some kind of agenda to smear
it and I suspect bypass surgeons are behind it...I mean a bypass
surgeon was interviewed for Pete's sake. What the hell is up with
that?
Lori A.
P.S. With all due respect, make sure you do not compare the gastric
bypass with the adjustable gastric band.

Dan thanks for all of your help and man o man -109 in nine months
that is fantastic. I bet you are running around. I cant waite to
begin my journey. I do have a couple of questions if you dont mind.
Are you ever able to enjoy a beer or a cocktail? Or what about a
slice of pizza? You probably have figured out i am still obsessed
with food. For me Food and drink have always been the fun things im
sure there are things i have missed out on but i see my friends of
normal size who enjoy it all. Just kind of wondering what life will
be like?
again thans for the info and insite
jeffery

Hello!
I am a journalist who is writing an article for a national magazine
on weight loss surgery abroad.
I am looking for people who would be willing to share their stories
about their decisions to seek surgery in Mexico and Europe. I want
to report on all aspects -- good and bad experiences; where you get
follow up care; and what made you decide to pursue it. I can protect
patients' privacy.
Please contact me directly or pass on my contact info!
Thanks,
Sarah Richards
serichards332000@...

Can I use the Mexican surgery on my taxes when I itemize medical
expenses?

No, didn't give birth, but it has still been an exciting nine months.
Down 104. Trainer did her measurements and calculations yesterday,
exactly three weeks after the last time. Measurements continue to
decrease (never did measurements back then, so don't know what lost
except for 12 inches on waist). In last three weeks down five pounds
and another percent in body fat. Now body fat of 30.1, BMI of 31.4,
down from over 51. Maybe in a couple months I'll no longer be obese
and will just be overweight. I may never be "normal", but that's OK
too. Normal would be 174, which I don't expect to ever see,
especially since I work out a lot.
Have more or less decided to have tummy tuck here locally sometime
this summer. With two of us going, Gail needing to take time off (for
me it is sick leave), and all that, they end up about the same cost.
Same would undoubtedly be true for Tijuana. Have also pretty much
decided not to do a thigh lift or any other PS, as none of those
things bother me, and continue to be abated somewhat with building
muscle.
Still losing OK. Band is more fickle than ever. On Tuesday could eat
almost nothing. Yesterday could eat comparatively a lot, most since
my last fill. Today I've had two bites of chicken and about an ounce
of cheese. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Yesterday played racquetball for 1.5 hours, and later an hour with
trainer on weights. Today an hour on weights in class. Today lots of
running all over campus for meetings (and I actually jogged most of it
but couldn't dodge all the icy raindrops).
Happy Thursday, everybody.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/219/199 Age 60

Any word - anyone hear anything? She has been on my mind.
Laura

Does anyone have problems with swallowing food when you have excess
mucous because of colds, flu, or sinusitis? I've had a cold for a
week and it's now hard to get anything down my esophagus. To tell you
the truth, it feels like I've had an adjustment (last one was December
and it was minimal). Before my cold, I could eat anything and
desperately needed a fill (scheduled one for March 5). Now, however,
I'm wondering if I'll need one because of the fullness that's already
in my throat or will this fullness leave me after my cold subsides.
Any help will be greatly appreciated especially from the health
professionals.
Jakki
SAGB -51

Hi Lisa,

Yes there are all sorts of companies that have transportation ready for you at the san diego airport. Or you can rent a car to go down there, its only like 20 minutes away.

bye

Gaby
h2obaby692002 <elisazuspan@...

Hello All:
Can you please tell me what means of transportation do you use when
going from the SD airport into TJ? Is there some sort of shuttle at
the airport that will take you to the boarder?
Thanks,
Lisa

Tomorrow is two weeks since my banding by Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey.
I'm am totally happy, satisfied etc. about the whole thing. I am
down 16.5 lbs. and feel great. Ann Marie, thanks for putting the
good word out about the Mexican surgeons. I want to add that they've
all done more bandings than most of the US docs. That's the main
reason I chose to go south of the border.
Donna

Hello All:
Can you please tell me what means of transportation do you use when
going from the SD airport into TJ? Is there some sort of shuttle at
the airport that will take you to the boarder?
Thanks,
Lisa

Bianca,

You can go to Dr. Vitello at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Chicago for fills. He can be reached by emailing him to vitello@... he charges 100.00 without x-ray and 150.00 with the x-ray. He is great and very experienced in fills. I hope this helps.

I am so frustrated. I have tried to search the archives but it
won't let me search the entire database of messages. And I looked
in the fill databases and can't find a fill doc in chicago there. I
could have sworn that there was a dr. vitello or something that did
fills in chicago. Anybody have contact info? Thanks!
Bianca

Have no doubts about Dr. Sanchez. You will be in good hands.

Dr. Sanchez is a super surgeon. I was band a year ago and haven't
had any problems at all - from start 'til now. Everybody feels
their surgeon is "the best". I have no doubt they are. If you've
read info about Dr. Sanchez, you'll find one of his promoters would
promise things that didn't happen. Dr. Sanchez is no longer with
that promoter as Dr. Raumbaut is now! If you want any info from me,
drop me a note privately. But, Dr. S is a wonderful caring and
excellent surgeon.
Good luck on your choices!
Ardie/Fl.
need to hear some good th